UKRAINIANS HAIL ZELENSKYY’S VISIT TO U.S.
Ukrainians hailed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s wartime visit to the United States as a success, while Russian officials said Thursday that it only fueled the conflict.
The U.S. has announced a new $1.8 billion military aid package, including supplies of the Patriot air defense systems, the most powerful such weapons to be delivered to Ukraine yet. Ukraine also stands to receive an additional $44.9 billion in U.S. aid as part of a massive government spending bill the Senate approved Thursday.
“We are returning from Washington with good results, with things that will really help,” Zelenskyy said on a video message shared Thursday night on his Telegram account. He thanked President Joe Biden and the U.S. Congress for supporting Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
In Russia, President Vladimir Putin had a different assessment of Zelenskyy’s trip, which included an Oval Office meeting with Biden, a joint news conference at the White House and an address to a largely supportive Congress.
“They say they may send Patriot there, fine, we will crack the Patriot too,” Putin told reporters, adding that the deliveries will only extend the fighting. “Those who do it do so in vain, it only drags out the conflict.”
Ukrainians saw their president’s trip as a rousing success.
“It’s an historical visit, the first one since the war began,” said Illia Shvachko, a 32-yearold computer specialist in Kyiv. “Getting weapons helps.”
Putin reaffirmed that Russia is ready for talks with Ukraine on ending the conflict.
“One way or another, all armed conflicts end with talks,” Putin said. “The sooner this understanding comes to those who oppose us, the better. We never rejected the talks.”
Russian state TV sought to downplay the military and political support Zelenskyy received in Washington, stressing in a news segment that not all members of Congress showed up to listen to Zelenskyy’s speech. Commentators also criticized the Ukrainian leader’s “casual attire” during his White House visit with Biden.